Logos's City of Redemption

I hear the train a comin' /It's rollin' 'round the bend,
And I ain't seen the sunshine,/ Since, I don't know when,
I'm stuck here in Redemption,/ And time keeps draggin' on,
But that train keeps a-rollin',Threw Desolation.

When I was just a baby,/My Mama told me, "Son,
Always be a good boy,/Don't ever play with guns,"
But I shot a man in Reno,/Just to watch him die,
When I hear that whistle blowin',/I hang my head and cry.

I bet there's rich folks eatin',/In a fancy dining car,
They're probably drinkin' coffee,/And smokin' big cigars,
But I know I had it comin',/I know I can't be free,
But those people keep a-movin',/And that's what tortures me.

Well, if they freed me from Redemption,/If that railroad train was mine,
I bet I'd move out over a little,/Farther down the line,
Far from Redemption,That's where I want to stay,
And I'd let that lonesome whistle,/Blow my Blues away.

~Unknown Song by Jonias Cash third Bard of the Founding Empire

The sluggish pull of the train awakens you all, you find yourself awake, dry, comfortable in a bed. You look out the window to see a desolate desert winding its way past you. A tree with a vulture looks forlornly at you as the train whistle blows.

You are in a small room, with white sheets. Bunks on either side of the room house three other people. A door with shiny brassy knobs gleams temptingly. You are naked except for small clothes, and ....

Your lifesaver, That one item you wouldn't be found without. An item that is so intimate to you that it apparently went with you, whereever you are. You tense and then relax, a prevading sense of peace overcomes you or is that despair?

The Door opens for a minute before a gnome pushes a large cart full of every concievable kind of food in the door. Winking at you all he darts back into the hallway and fetches a set of handsome cloths in the style of where you grew up. The gnome himself has long dark hair and is covered in silk shawls and scarfs. Bowing lowly to you, he says

"Please Master's Eat, Enough Time for Questions Later"

He seems to have been expecting you...

"Eat, yes."

Steiner surveys his surrounding then he settles down to devour the food that was given him.

What the frack am I doing dressed like this?

"You." Steiner says in a commanding tone of voice. "A decent set of clothes, now."

Why am I so hungry?

Rather than waking screaming as he usually does, Smokey Bogwash is surprised to find he's singing himself awake:

I bet they're eating rich folks /In a fancy shiny bar,
They're probably drinkin' cold pee,/And smokin' big cigars,
But I know they had it comin',/I know they can't be free,
But those people keep a-squiggling,/And that's what tortures me.

Well, if they freed me from Redemption,/If that open plain was mine,
I bet I'd move out over a little,/Farther down the line,
Far from Redemption,That's where I want to stay,
And I'd let that lonesome whistle,/Blow my Blues away.

And then he hears the short one say his favourite words: "FOOD?" he asks licking his lips with a disgusting long tongue.

Bence, wrapping his robe tight around him, steps out of bed and begins to eat.

"Well met Sir's. Names Bence"

He says to the Draconic looking fellow and the smelly Gnome just waking up

"Greetings, Bence. I am called Steiner. And you unwashed one, by what name are you called?" Steiner flexes his muscles as he says this.

Great Father, not another one of those days where you wake up from a night of too much drink.

I bet they're eating rich folks /And gnawing on their ears,
They're probably drinkin' cold pee,/Soon they'll be crying tears,
Now they know they had it comin',/They know they can't be free,
But those people keep a-squiggling,/And that's what tastes good to me.

Smokey doesn't acknowledge his companions for a while licking his lips and trying to capture the words of the song he heard in his head with each repetition getting less and less likely until finally he snaps out of it.

"Smokey. Hiya handsome. Oh, we are lovely today. Bogwash. Morning breath to you too, isn't it? Smokey Bogwash" he babbles.

Swinging his legs over the side of his bunk, the young Val turns his white eyes upon the food cart, his stomach grumbling.

"Got any Coryani rice bread there by any chance? And maybe some grape juice to wash it down?"

Looking across at what appears to be an excessively hairy gnome, Arronath winces. "Better make that a LOT of grape juice. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those days."

Steiner laughs, "Bogwash, indeed!"

Turning to the stranger who just woke up, "And you, what are you called?"

The Food like the clothing proffered, is not what you expected but from your childhoods, ricebread and grape juice, meatloafs and applespritzers abound.

everyone notices that everyone seems to have an out of place item with them. A magic trinket, a weapon or something of the sort. The Serving Gnome is not paying it any sort of attention.

Having seen to you, the gnome smiles and says " Feel free to make use of the facilities in the car, but if you don't mind please stay out of the back car, he says point to his left as he looks at you from the hallway. " had some troubles with vagrants, so if you would use the drinking car to the front of the train" he says pointing to the right," It would be appreciated"

just as he was about to go, the gnome turns back " And oh yes, please behave yourselves" with a sly wink the gnome is gone almost as if he was never there.

Logos

"I am Arronath of the Dellenov family, may Saluwe bless this meeting." Arronath explains, genuflecting as he completes his greeting.

"Saluwe? Your god? I have not heard of that name before." Steiner says in between bites.

"Saluwe? Your god? I have not heard of that name before." Steiner says in between bites.

"I never heard of 'Arronath', 'Dellenov', or 'Saluwe' and I never seen a boy look so much like a girl before ... except elves. Are you an elf?"

Steiner wrote:

"Saluwe? Your god? I have not heard of that name before." Steiner says in between bites.

"I never heard of 'Arronath', 'Dellenov', or 'Saluwe' and I never seen a boy look so much like a girl before ... except elves. Are you an elf?"

"I'll have you know that I am a Val, descendant of the Valenor and thus the gods themselves." With a disdainful sniff, he takes and starts to daintily pick at some bread.

"I'll have you know that I am a Val, descendant of the Valenor and thus the gods themselves." With a disdainful sniff, he takes and starts to daintily pick at some bread.

"Yep. He's a girl," mutters Smokey to no one in particular.

Steiner laughs at Bogwash's comment.

i'm slightly confused, do we know why we are here?

"Well the foods not to bad, I think I might take a look at the other carts ... would you gentlemen care to join me?"

Bence begins to dress.

No you do not, You have an inkling, but it is an unsettling thought, and it skitters away like a drop of water in an frying pan of hot oil

"Well the foods not to bad, I think I might take a look at the other carts ... would you gentlemen care to join me?"

Bence begins to dress.

"That sounds like a sounds like a sounds like very good idea," Smokey chimes in a sing song voice. Bowing to those sitting he said "Ladies."

Bowing to those sitting he said "Ladies."

<whispering to the others>

Steiner starts to put on what passes for "decent clothes" in this place. He flashes a big grin at Bence after hearing his comment.

Bence stands, Walks over to the cart door and looks over his shoulder for a moment...

"...Coming?"

He then leaves the cart and making sure not to go to the back cart as the Gnome requested.

Bence stands, Walks over to the cart door and looks over his shoulder for a moment...

"...Coming?"

He then leaves the cart and making sure not to go to the back cart as the Gnome requested.

Smokey gets up and follows them but only after shoving as much food as possible into his mouth and pockets. He calls after them but with his mouth full of food whatever he says becomes a mumble: "Wayduhp, oo duh puggahs".

I've almost got my character sheet ready. Sorry for the delay. It's amazing how much getting hit by a car going 70km/hr takes out of you. :-). I put my signature item in the ooc thread and will get my 10k in gear together soon.

"Lead on." Steiner grabs a pastry from the cart to nibble on.

"Arronath are you joining us?"

"Leave him... her ... it? I get confused... ha ha ha."

"I'm sure you'll be able to find us."

Bence leaves the cart.

"Lets steer clear of the cart that the gnome said was having trouble."

i cant remember which way we are NOT ment to go... but i dont intend to cause any trouble anyway, bence goes the safe way

"Oh if I must." Arronath gives a disappointed shrug and dons the toga that had been left for him, following the others out.

You walk forward, quickly getting used to the rolling gate on the train. Large Yellow Signs saying "Danger, Do Not Enter, The Managment Takes No Responsibility for the Events that happen inside" lays knocked down ominously to your left. Turning to the right you quickly find the dinning cart, full of equally out of place looking people as you. Everyone seems intent on ignoring you and everyone is clustered in small groups. A wide variety of magic items can be seen, but otherwise everyone is in the clean clothes obviously provided by the gnome.

A bar dominates the one side of this car, the gnome working furiously away at taps and machines producing a variety of drinks.

"This is a very nice place." Steiner seats himself at a stool in front of the bar. "Got any single malt whiskey there?"

"Something lethal. Bogwash! I can drink it. Give me the foulest smelling, stomach-churning, gut-rotting poison you've got!"

The Gnome works meticulous magic and drinks are quickly placed infront of anyone who wanted one.

one single malt whiskey, one pan galactic gargle blaster, and a few more. The Gnome springs down from the raised back of the bar, with a small tray of drinks and spryly says

"Be right back"

Steiner starts tapping his taloned fingers over the varnished surface of the bar, indicating his growing impatience.

Smokey uses the time to size up the clientele, looking for dangling and unguarded valuables.

1d20+3=18

There are none, The other patrons are dressed in much the same manner as you, each with a particular item sticking out, most often worn , but a handful of greataxes and other weapons lay about, all carefully held.

There are none, The other patrons are dressed in much the same manner as you, each with a particular item sticking out, most often worn , but a handful of greataxes and other weapons lay about, all carefully held.

"Bunch of cheapskates!" Smokey calls out to no one in particular.

You are waiting impatiently as a blast of psionic force comes flying from the far end of the cart. Patrons and tables go flying and are litterally smashed to bits as a odd looking women one with spikes all over her, graps the struggling gnome by the throat and rasps

"Vhere Have Vou Vaken Me, Where is Vhis, Vhy am I here, Vho are you, Vell me or Vi Vill Kill Vu"

You are waiting impatiently as a blast of psionic force comes flying from the far end of the cart. Patrons and tables go flying and are litterally smashed to bits as a odd looking women one with spikes all over her, graps the struggling gnome by the throat and rasps

"Vhere Have Vou Vaken Me, Where is Vhis, Vhy am I here, Vho are you, Vell me or Vi Vill Kill Vu"

"That B**** spilled my drink!!!"

"By the Great Father, a fight!" Gripping his axe, Steiner makes a few practice swings.

Looking at the axe, "You, my noble companion, shall once more be sanctified by combat."

Pointing his axe at the direction of the woman, Steiner shouts a challenge, "Unhand, the short one or face my wrath!"

Arronath's eyes and diadem crackle with power as the audible hum of a Force Screen comes into being.

Force Sceen, Augment 4 for a +5 Shield Bonus
PP 3, Surge 2
DC 2 Powersurge Check: 1d20=13
DC 2 Ennervate Check: 1d20=15
Surging Euphoria now active for 2 rounds

He then moves across the carriage away from the bar and a little way towards the troublemaker.

Whatever beef she has with that Gnome, I sure ain't sticking my nose in it

Smokey looks around for drinks left unguarded by those watching the confusion.

The Crazy B-tch of spikes and psionic activity fans her hands forward into a projecting motion, as suddenly crystal spray out, hozing the audience and tearing flesh and wood.

(everyone who moved forward, 17 Ref Save Half 23 Physical Damage [ignores Damage Reduction] )

Ve Vady Voffs vat vour Vommand. A special Crystal comes at just you PSIONIST!

Arronoth takes an addittional 12 damage as a special crystal smokes him in the face.

everyone seems dazed at what just happened besides you guys. The gnome looks badly hurt.

Bogwash, All of the drinks are on the floor now, explosives + precariously sitting liquids = little to drink.

Give me Inititives and a round or twos worth of actions.

You can post out of inititive, but remember I'm going to be "interpretting" them into a whole round so Ymmv.

For Logos

Init Check (1d20+5=9)

"B**** spilled my drink. One of those had to be my drink. ... Mother-of-assymetry tear this b**** apart."

Reflex Save DC17: 1d20+2=14 - FAIL

Initiative: (1d20+1=19)
"If you wish to dishonor yourself in this way, then so be it."

Energy Ray(Fire) PP6 Surge2
DC4 Powersurge Check: 1d20=1 - Powersurge adds 2PP to augment Energy Ray, adding 2d6+2 damage.
DC2 Ennervation Check: Overridden by Powersurge - AUTOFAIL
Ranged Touch Attack Roll: (1d20+2=19)
Damage: (10d6+10=57) DC15 Fort Save Vs Massive Damage (oh crap, I don't want to kill her outright)

Arronath's diadem flares as the energy ray from his finger suddenly pulses with extra power, leaving a faintly smoking and dazed Arronath in its wake.

Round 2(if there is a round 2) Arronath has no actions as he recovers from his power overload.

init (1d20 1=16)

Bence moves around the other side of the bar, finds himself an unbroken bottle and glass, and begins to help himself.

The Spiked B~#*!, Slumps down her neck oozing black blood as her head is vapourized. The gnome recovering his feet, walks up to arronoth and starts pumping his hand furiously, as the remainder in the room who are alive start to belatedly clap, which turns into a full standing ovation.

The Gnome , moving everyone to the bar, and kicking out any porch monkeys who snuck behind to grab alcohol and where dumb enough to still be there.

You realize that the gnome is not asking for, nor recieving any compensation for the food or the drink, but rather giving freely.

The gnome rummaging around his many scarfs and folds, finds a small pouch, and gives it to arronoth, before handing out smaller pouches to the other adventures who attempted to help him.

for Arronoth

For Adventuers Tried and True

For Unsavory knaves who are lying/attempting to bamboozle free kit

last time i checked massive damage was a variant/house rule, and not something i run with usually

The still slightly steaming Arronath shakes his head to clear the fog of his ennervation and grins down to the gnome. "Glad to be of some help." Limping over to a quiet corner of the room, he turns to the gnome and says, "Do you mind if I grab a bowl with some milk in? I never feel quite human when I have to kill." That said he morphs into Cheetah form and starts tending his wounds.

For future reference, here is a link to the d20 SRD for massive damage. There are variant rules for massive damage, but most of those deal with things like 'bigger creatures get higher massive damage thresholds'

Here is the link for Massive Damage

a bowl of milk is quickly served, the room and the barkeep seemingly nonplussed.

Right you are, Its vanilla, Its in, Good thing you killed her outright, eh?

The Train continues it monotonous motion into the night. Upon lapping the bowl of milk, you realize its a bowl of milk of cure light wounds (9hp). The Time passes slowly but in an orderly fashion.

Just before everyone is set to go to bed, the gnome shouts out We Will Make it To Repemption Tomarrow! and before Arronoth and his lot head off, he pulls them aside Our Youngest Guest, only a few years old, is missing. I can't seem to find him anywhere, If you guys could take a look around for him before you toddle off it would be appreciated, and I'm sure I can make it worth your while...

After a few seconds of lingering if anyone asks here is the description